Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of metal used in a chain as compared to a chain formed of a round wire, the method including the steps of forming a wire having a non-round shape, wrapping the wire around a mandrel to form a spiral of the wire, the mandrel formed such that it supports the non-round shape of the wire with a longer dimension of the wire extending radially from an axis of the mandrel, cutting the spiral of wire to form individual links of wire, and forming a chain from said links.

Abstract: A method of forming a jewelry product includes forming an initial partially formed chain having a plurality of portions which are displaceable relative to one another, and a strand of wire that retains the portions together but does not limit their displacement. The initial partially formed chain is further wound around a mandrel and heated. During heating, the portions of the initial partially formed chain are being set into the shape of the mandrel while wire portions are prevented from displacing relative to one another. This final shaped spiral is then cut into individual links which are then formed into the jewelry product.

Abstract: A chain including a plurality of cages connected together, each cage including at least two arms having at least one feature which distinguishes one or more of the at least two arms from a remainder of the arms, said at least arms being bent in a direction away from a base point.